Gracillarioidea >> Gracillariidae >> Acrocercopinae >> Leucospilapteryx

Leucospilapteryx venustella

(Clemens, 1860)

Larval feeding type: Large underside leaf-mine, pupates outside the mine in a silken cocoon
Larval substrate: Ageratina altissima* (White Snakeroot), Eupatorium (Boneset), Eutrochium dubium* (Coastal Plain Joe-Pye Weed), Mikania scandens (Climbing Hempvine)
Phenology: Adult: 7/20 to 8/23 (3 records)

Comment: Can be mistaken for Acrocercops astericola, but L. venustella has white along the base of the dorsum, whereas in astericola it is brown; the tarsi in both species are banded, not plain white as in Leucospilapteryx n.sp.

Status in MA (automated assessment): Fairly widespread, fairly common
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 1936
Last Year Reported: 2020

Distribution by County: Berkshire, Franklin, Middlesex, Essex, Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, Nantucket
Number of Records: 24